Thor returns for another Marvel Cinematic Universe adventure, with “Thor: Love and Thunder” pushing the God of Thunder to confront one of his most personal problems to date: lost love. If that isn’t enough to pique Marvel fans’ interest in the film, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) will also face a foe with superhuman abilities in the sequel. In sum, it’s building up to be a Phase Four Marvel adventure fit for the mighty Asgardian.
Indeed, Marvel is going all-out for this entry. Earlier this year, the ambitious production chose to film in Australia with several high-profile celebrities (via News.Com.Au). To recapture the success of 2017’s “Thor: Ragnarok,” the studio has also tapped director Taika Waititi to handle the next MCU installment.
In addition to co-writing “Ragnarok,” Waititi is co-writing “Thor: Love and Thunder” with Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (via IMDb). In June, the writer-director teased the film on Instagram, stating, “This film is the most insane thing I’ve ever done, and I’m honored to bust my a** and suffer a nervous breakdown so you guys can see it.”
With that in mind, here is everything we currently know about “Thor: Love and Thunderrelease “a date, cast, and plot.
When Is Thor: Love and Thunder’s Release Date?
Marvel fans have been anticipating “Thor: Love and Thunder” for years. The picture was initially revealed in the summer of 2019 (via The Hollywood Reporter), and for a time, it appeared as though Marvel was on track to have a banner year in 2020. Of course, none of those plans came to fruition (via The Wrap). Fortunately, after numerous setbacks and delays, “Thor: Love and Thunder” began filming in January, with an initial release date of early 2022 determined.
As is customary, publication dates are subject to change for a variety of reasons. For much of this year, the studio had set the film’s launch date as May 6, 2022. However, Marvel pushed the film’s release date back again in October as part of a broader timetable shift (via Deadline), with “Thor: Love and Thunder” currently scheduled to open on July 8, 2022.
As of this writing, no date has been announced for its arrival on Disney+. While some new releases are available exclusively through the service’s Premier Access level, others are available for no additional charge. Having said that, the only Marvel film to date to receive a day-and-date release on Disney+ is “Black Widow.” In that circumstance, the studio elected to distribute it initially via Premier Access.
What is the plot of Thor: Love and Thunder?
Marvel is infamous for keeping the plots of their flicks a secret. Having said that, it has been announced that “Thor: Love and Thunder” will adapt a major comic book narrative, with Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster assuming the identity of The Mighty Thor. Apart from Jane and her Mighty Thor alter ego, “Thor: Love and Thunder” will also feature Christian Bale’s Gorr the God Butcher.
The figure is a fierce warrior from the books who are hell-bent on annihilating all gods, and he promises to pose a significant threat to Chris Hemsworth’s Thor. Naturally, how “Thor: Love and Thunder” connects the Gorr and Jane Foster stories remains to be seen.
Taika Waititi, the film’s writer and director, has previously described the film as “a full-blown love tale” (via Wired), implying that it will be an excitingly distinct addition to the still-growing Marvel Cinematic Universe. For the time being, fans will have to wait to learn more about “Thor: Love and Thunder’s” story and characters.
Who Is in the Cast of Thor: Love and Thunder?
Thor: Love and Thunder bring together established MCU characters and newcomers. Chris Hemsworth returns as the film’s title figure, while Natalie Portman reprises her role as Jane Foster. Several more notable Marvel performers are also expected to feature in “Thor: Love and Thunder.”
For example, Chris Pratt and several other “Guardians of the Galaxy” cast members star in the picture, and Tessa Thompson is slated to reprise her role as Valkyrie. In an unexpected twist, the film will also revive an iconic “Thor: Ragnarok” joke, with Luke Hemsworth, Matt Damon, and Sam Neill reprising their roles as an unknown Asgardian trio (via IMDb).
Melissa McCarthy also appears in the film as an Asgardian performer portraying Hela, played by Cate Blanchett. According to early indications, “Thor: Love and Thunder” will have all four actors delivering a comedic recounting of prior MCU events.
Elsewhere in the film, Christian Bale and Russell Crowe make their MCU debuts. Bale portrays Gorr the God Butcher (via Marvel), a terrifying adversary who has gone dangerously near to destroying Thor in the books. Meanwhile, Crowe has been cast as Zeus in “Thor: Love and Thunder” (via EW).
Who’s New?
Who’s New?So yet, just one new actor has been confirmed, but it is a significant one. Christian Bale, who previously starred as Batman, will make his superhero film debut as Gorr the God Butcher, a formidable alien bent on destroying deities throughout the universe.
Who Is Returning?
The film will feature several returning cast members from previous Thor films. Chris Hemsworth reprises his role as the God of Thunder, while Tessa Thompson reprises her role as Valkyrie from Ragnarok. For the first time since Thor: The Dark World, Natalie Portman will reprise her role as Jane Foster in the series.
Additionally, we may anticipate several actors reprising smaller roles. Jaimie Alexander reprises her role as the Asgardian warrior Sif from the first two Thor films, while Jeff Goldblum reprises his role as the eccentric Grandmaster and Waititi himself voices the Cronan gladiator Korg. Additionally, Matt Damon, Sam Neill, and Luke Hemsworth will reprise their roles as Ragnarok’s Asgardian actors.
Who Is the Film’s Director?
Taika Waititi will direct the film. Along with Thor: Ragnarok, Waititi has worked on Jojo Rabbit, What We Do in the Shadows an,d The Hunt For The Wilderpeople.
Who Is the Author?
Waititi and Jennifer Keating Robinson co-wrote Thor: Love and Thunder. Previously, Robinson directed the Netflix film Someone Great and co-wrote the MTV series Sweet/Vicious.